Our brain is one of the essential organs in our body. It controls all other organs. But sometimes, due to movement disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy, or dystonia, some people can’t control their body’s movements.
Certain parts of the brain control movement. DBS surgery is the best option if the brain can no longer control these abnormal activities. In this article, we will get more information about DBS surgery from Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney who has over 14+ years of experience in DBS surgery in Mumbai.
What is DBS Surgery?
DBS or Deep Brain Stimulation is a surgical procedure where the electrons are planted in the brain delivering electrical impulses to block or change the abnormal activity that causes symptoms of movement disorders. DBS contains four parts:
- Leads: Leads are thin wires insulated that end in electrons implanted in the brain.
- Pulse generator: It is a small device like a pacemaker. It creates electrical pulses.
- Extension Leads: These leads carry electric pulses from the device to the leads implanted in the brain.
- Handheld programming device: This device can adjust its signal and turn it on and off.
In DBS, electrodes are placed in the specifically targeted areas of the brain. Leads connect these electrodes to the pulse generator. It is placed under the skin of your chest.
A doctor that performs DBS surgery is known as a DBS surgeon. Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney is a DBS surgeon with vast experience in performing DBS surgery in Mumbai.
Conditions treated with DBS
DBS is used in different neurological conditions:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Dystonia
- Persistent Pain
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD)
- Chronic pain
- Cluster headache
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
DBS is being studied to treat the following:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression
- Tourette syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Addiction
- Traumatic brain injury
- Alzheimer’s disease
Who needs DBS?
If you take medications and control your symptoms, there is no need for DBS, says Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, who performs DBS surgery in Mumbai.
DBS is considered if the following conditions apply:
- The patient can’t tolerate the side effects of current medications.
- The symptoms are reducing the quality of the patient’s life.
- Symptoms are not controlled despite taking the medicines.
Procedure of DBS Surgery
The doctor generally determines if you need the DBS surgery. The doctor will perform specific tests on you to determine if DBS is the safe and effective option for you. You will also need to get some brain screening procedures like MRI to decide where the electrodes need to be implanted.
- Before surgery, you will be given anesthesia. A headgear, a stereotactic head frame, will be placed on your head to keep it in place during the surgery.
- Then the MRI will be retaken to locate the affected area.
- A small hole is made in your skull. Then the leads are passed through this hole and implanted in the affected areas of the brain.
- The brain works in a way where each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. So the leads are placed on the opposite side of the affected area.
- The second part of the surgery includes the surgeon Implanting a pulse generator under the skin of your chest below the collarbone.
Advantages of DBS Surgery
DBS doesn’t cause any permanent damage to the brain
- The device can control the symptoms 24 hours.
- The electrical stimulation can be adjusted and reversed as the patient’s condition progresses
- The stimulator can be shut off without long-term implications if it causes too many side effects.
Risks of DBS Surgery
According to Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, who performs DBS surgery in Mumbai, DBS is safe and effective. The side effects are generally mild. The risks may include:
- 1% risk of brain hemorrhage or stroke
- Misplacement of the leads
- Device complications
- Headache
- Having no measurable impact on the symptoms
- Infections
Side effects may include:
- Loss of balance
- Speech problems
- Vision problems
- Temporary tingling sensation in the face or limbs
Results and Success Rates of DBS Surgery
DBS would not cure your disease, says Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, but it may help lessen the symptoms. If the stimulation works, your symptoms will improve rapidly but won’t completely disappear. You may still require medications.
DBS is not successful for everyone. It depends upon the severity of your condition. DBS has a success rate of 51%, with an average life span of ten years. It is essential to talk to your doctor about the improvement you can expect from your state.
Cost of DBS in India
Many people from other countries travel to India to get DBS surgery. The cost of DBS India is cheaper than most countries. The cost may also vary from city to city.
The average cost of DBS surgery in Mumbai is around Rs. 1500000 to Rs. 1800000.
Conclusion:
As said before, DBS is not successful for everyone, and it does not cure your disease completely. But it can help you to improve the quality of your life by controlling the disease to an extent. Because of this, you can live a happy and healthy life.
